Industrial Application

Oil – The accumulation of asphaltene impairs the pumping and flow of high viscosity oil. Understanding the joining processes and nanostructure of asphaltene helps in the creation of additives to reduce the viscosity of the oil. LNLS is in partnership with Petrobras working on the scientific and technological challenges of breaking down this “cholesterol oil” in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Polymers – A major technological challenge in oil exploration in the pre-salt region is the drilling rigs anchor system. LNLS assists Braskem in new material development for the cable anchoring of oil platforms in deep water.

The control of micro and nanostructure of fibers used in the cable anchor is essential for oil exploration in ultra deep water.

Fuel – From an environmental point of view, an affordable way to get hydrogen (H2) is by using renewable sources such as ethanol. Experiments made at LNLS reveal the elementary processes of catalysis in the transformation of ethanol into H2 on metal surfaces, providing better catalyst designs.

The use of synchrotron light reveals the catalysis elementary processes in the transformation of ethanol into H2 on metal surfaces and shows the connection between these processes, efficiency and selectivity of the catalyst

Citrus – The control of citrus diseases such as canker and yellowing, respectively caused by Xylella fastidiosa and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, depends on understanding the interaction between plant and pathogen. Researchers at Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) use LNLS to find out the structure and function of the protein that allows the colonization of plants, especially in environments with low oxygen, opening new ways to control these diseases.

Cellulosic biomass – With synchrotron radiation, the researchers at LNBio and CTBE analyze the molecular processes of enzyme interaction that catalyzes cellulose hydrolysis.

They have identified the mechanism that gives resistance to high temperatures, compatible with industrial processes, opening new perspectives for the sugarcane lignocellulosic biomass degradation and its transformation into fermentable sugars.

BsCel5ACCprotein structure

Catalysts – The use of synchrotron radiation is crucial for the study of catalysts used by chemical, petrochemical and the automotive industries. Oxiteno joined LNLS for the development of new catalysts that significantly increased productivity.

Synchrotron radiation also contributes to understanding elementary processes of heterogeneous catalysis, used in “green” conversion of biomass into energy, fuel and chemicals. With experiments carried out at LNLS it is possible to look at these microscopic processes in real time and conditions.

The catalysts optimization in biomass transformation into energy, chemicals and fuel requires the understanding of the elementary processes of reaction at atomic and molecular levels